J Cooper
Google
——- Critics Review ——-
My 3rd over the years - and last time going to this location!!!
The last 3 times here over 4 years has been horrible. Failed again tonight. I was with a friend from high school who was in town and he wanted to go to the Mockingbird location because that was the only one in the 70s-80s. My head sank because the Lovers Lane location is perfect!!!
I told the waitress specifically, “an all the way pizza, minus mushrooms, triple garlic and extra crispy - so the toppings are toasted. I do not want the toppings in the center like you normally do - I want all toppings to the edge of the crust.”
Ugh, again - a total failure. Look at the photo! Toppings only in the center. The outer 2 inches is only cheese and garlic. You can barely see any salami or Italian sausage anc onions are everywhere. Almost under cooked - no where close to crispy! (A machine could do better!!)
Of course being with my friend I could not complain. So I went to my normal location (Lovers Lane), showed the manager (Derick) the pizza Mockingbird gave me. He knows me and what I like (as does 1/2 of the staff!) He was equally appalled.
I ask him to take a photo and send it to the Mockingbird manager and share my story. And throw it in the trash! I choked down 2 baby slices only to be tell my friend I has a late lunch as was full. (Mockingbird - I’LL NEVER GO BACK - EVEN IF YOU OFFER FREE FOOD FOR LIFE!!!!!!!!)
Of course Derick offered to make me a replacement pizza - and I refused twice. But when he added a free bourbon and coke… I broke down and said ok - but only a small. (See 2nd photo - a perfect pie!!)
Lesson learned. From now on, every friend who pops in town and wants to go to Mockingbird - I will tell them of my last 4 experiences and how Lovers Lane is the VIP place to go! Screw the atmosphere and nostalgia of Mockingbird!!!
Avoid Mockingbird at all costs!!! Order Dominos instead (or better - eat in or do a pick up at Lovers Lane!!)
End
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Ok, I’ve been eating their pizza for 35 years and love it. However, it saddens me to see so many negative reviews on food quality. I went open minded and my pizza was perfect!!!! I got the all the way, minus mushrooms (make pizzas a little soggy), add garlic, and extra crispy (crunchy crust and toasted meats). I’ve been in FL for 2 years… and on my first bite, I had a huge reaction (spontaneous and not intentional). I sat up in my chair, turned my head to the ceiling, raised both arms up to the sky, and said “Mmmmmmmm” as I chewed…. and afterwards, said, “it feels so good to be alive!” Yes, it was dramatic, but it’s been 2 years!
Now for the sad part. My friend ordered the lasagna with meat sauce. He is a big foodie and cooks a lot. The pasta was so undercooked that he could not cut it or eat it. Seemed to be dried hard pasta from a box, layered in the pan, and expected to fully cook in the oven. Definitely not freshly made. Really bad and he could not eat it. Therefore only 3 stars. (Would be a 1 for lasagna, 5 for pizza.)